For those who love small streams, wild trout, and life...in their simplest form

Monday, August 28, 2017

"Homewater" 8-24-17

A little blue line that winds its way through a valley and is home to a lovely native was the choice for me this next to last week of August. I had not been here since perhaps May and did not know what to expect. Mark had told me of the destruction to the trees from the gypsy moths. I was happy to see some of the trees had repaired themselves and the shade canopy was keeping the stream cool. This stream receives almost no fishing pressure and the only problem is that the hiking trail nearby will bring some dogs to the stream for a drink and a brief cooing off. About the only changes I noticed was a portion of the bank had been washed into the brook. There was a small tree that held it together and provided a corner "nook" that seemed to always hold a brook trout.

The stream and some of my "lucky spots"...the bomber did bring a few to the surface.

A "home water" wild one. Beautiful, and spunky. There are three flies that prove to be awesome on this stream, they are the Bomber, Elk Hair Caddis, and the Parachute Adams. I did not have an Adams but the Mr. Rapidan parachute worked just as well.

There were several places where I spooked some nice fish.

Overall though I did not do to bad. It's always a pleasure to be gifted one of these jewels.

I finished my day in a very positive way. The stream was healthy and the brookies were too. A good sign for the future.

15 comments:

Hi Alan, The trees around my camp in Woodstock have made a remarkable comeback. They have refoliated themselves. Next year should not be too bad since nature controlled the gypsy moth numbers with a fungus late this season. Just imagine if we had stepped in with chemical control. Its affect on brookies is probably unknown but likely bad. Let nature heal itself.

Alan - it's nice to see that the stream is doing well! I was wondering if the gypsy moth damage might affect the stream temperature this summer but it appears that everything is just as it should be in that little corner of "brook trout forest"

Bill TrussellThanksBill the parachute with the yellow post is a fly I purchased from Murray's Fly Shop in VA. It is part of a series of flies called Mr. Rapidan. All of the flies in that series have a yellow wing. I used that fly because I didn't have an Adams in the box. That Mr. Rapidan was the only fly needed that day.

Alan,A wonderful post indeed! When I click on these, there is a sudden and sullen calm that comes over me! I suspect it's the incredible beauty that brings this on. It could also be me kicking into "stealth mode". An off shoot of hunting no doubt! Your blog is remarkable as always! Eat more gypsy moths!Dougsden

I am liking your Ausable Bomber more and more and its effectiveness on smaller waters especially! It will be added to my ever increasing list of must do patterns!

Ive been almost 5 weeks away with other stuff & unable to fish but have to say the last hour or so reading through your adventures and looking at your pics have cheered me up no end Alan, great results.

About Me

I have been fishing for more years that I want to say.
Fly fishing since the seventies.
I take the simple approach to fly fishing. Fly fishing need not be complicated.
Take the time to slow down on the water and look to the grand beauty out there in its most simple form.